Endless sand dunes, turquoise waters, and warm smiles — Boa Vista truly lives up to its name, which literally means “beautiful view.”
This stunning island is part of Cape Verde, an archipelago off the coast of West Africa that blends African, Portuguese, and Creole culture.
Boa Vista is famous for its powdery white beaches, relaxed atmosphere, and Sahara-like landscapes, making it one of the most unique islands in the Atlantic.
In this blog, we’ll share our personal experiences exploring Boa Vista. We visit shipwrecks and go on desert tours and join reggae nights by the sea. With our useful travel tips we want to help you plan your own visit. In this travel guide and video you find all the highlights of Boa Vista.
We reached Boa Vista by ferry from the island of Sal, a scenic 3-hour trip that cost around $15 USD per person.
Just like on Sal, we stayed with the friendly team from Bobby Was Here, in a beautiful apartment overlooking the ocean and the uninhabited island of Sal Rei.
From our terrace, we had panoramic views of Praia Estoril, one of Boa Vista’s most peaceful beaches and a hotspot for surfers. It’s the perfect base to enjoy the island’s west coast and local life.
Boa Vista is larger than Sal and almost entirely covered in sand dunes, giving it an almost desert-like appearance.
To explore properly all the highlights of Boa Vista, it’s best to rent a 4×4 car, since many roads are unpaved and lead through soft sand.
We followed the coastal road along Praia de Chaves and stopped in Rabil, the island’s old capital — a quiet, charming town where time seems to stand still.
Further along the coast, we found Praia Carlota, home to the laid-back beach bar Morabeza, a local favorite that perfectly captures the Cape Verdean spirit of openness and friendliness.
One of Boa Vista’s most famous sights is Praia Atalanta, on the island’s northern coast.
Here lies the wreck of the Cabo Santa Maria, a Spanish cargo ship that ran aground in 1968 after being sent by dictator Francisco Franco.
Today, it’s a haunting yet beautiful landmark — slowly rusting away in the sand and surrounded by the turquoise Atlantic.
Our local guide, Eddy from No Bai Tours, drove us through the surrounding desert landscapes, which look strikingly similar to the Sahara — a reminder that the African mainland isn’t far away.
At the southern tip of the island lies Praia Santa Monica, often called the most beautiful beach in Cape Verde — and even listed by Travel + Leisure as one of the Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World.
This long, untouched stretch of golden sand is ideal for beach walks, drone shots, and pure relaxation.
From above, you can see that much of Boa Vista is still wild, natural, and undeveloped — a paradise for those seeking peace and authenticity.
For our second week, we moved to Praia Cabral, near the island’s main town Sal Rei.
Our new apartment had an incredible view and a pool overlooking the ocean.
Sal Rei (which means “Salt King”) got its name from the Portuguese salt lakes that were once the center of the island’s economy. From above, the patterns of the salt flats are stunning to see.
Despite tourism, many locals still live modestly, and walking through the local neighborhoods offers a genuine look at daily life in Cape Verde — the people are warm, curious, and welcoming.
One of the most beautiful landmarks in Sal Rei is the Nossa Senhora de Fátima Church, built on a small hill overlooking the coast.
Originally a ruin, it was beautifully restored in 2015 and is now one of the island’s most photogenic spots.
Sundays are for relaxing — and for us, that meant heading to Café Creoula for a cold beer and sea views.
On Mondays, the island comes alive again at Morabeza Beach Bar, where bonfires, live bands, and reggae nights make for the perfect tropical evening under the stars.
✅ Getting there: Fly international or from Sal or take the ferry (3 hours, ~$15 USD).
✅ Getting around: Rent a 4×4 — many roads are sandy and unpaved.
✅ Language: Portuguese & Cape Verdean Creole
✅ Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)
✅ Best time to visit: November – June (dry and sunny)
✅ Top places to visit: Praia Santa Monica, Rabil, Praia Carlota, Sal Rei, Praia Atalanta
🎥 Watch our full Cape Verde travel video on YouTube for even more tips, hotel recommendations, and highlights from both Sal and Boa Vista.
Discover the world through our eyes as we embark on the adventure of a lifetime with our children. We left our home behind for an indefinite journey to continuously explore new cultures, landscapes, and life-changing experiences as a family.
What to expect from us:
Whether you’re planning a sabbatical, considering a career break for travel, or simply seeking inspiration for your next family vacation – our stories provide the tools, motivation, and confidence you need to make your travel dreams a reality.
YouTube Channel: Subscribe for weekly travel vlogs, comprehensive destination guides, and practical travel tips that actually work.
Instagram: Daily updates, behind-the-scenes content, and live stories directly from our current destinations.
By following and supporting us, you help keep our travel show on the road while gaining exclusive access to:
Your support means the world to us and enables us to create even better, more comprehensive content for the global travel community. Together, we’re making travel more accessible, inspiring, and achievable for adventurers everywhere!
We’re Wout & Suus, traveling full time around the world with our little globetrotters Jens & Céline.
So far, we’ve explored and filmed 153 countries, capturing it all in complete video travel guides, inspiring travel articles and more, to help you plan your next adventure!
Enjoy reading and watching and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to join the journey!
New videos every Saturday 11 AM GMT!
Check the best hotel deals
Book your transfers with code WOUTOFTHEWORLD5
Book your tours with code WOUTOFTHEWORLD5
Book your flights
Book A Rental Car
Use code WOUTHOLA for 5% discount on your eSIM
This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click on one of these links and make a purchase or booking, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep creating free travel guides and videos around the world. We only recommend products and services we personally use and love.
